Pharmacy Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position: Pharmacy Category Manager

Who We Are:

OptiMed Health Partners optimizes health outcomes and quality of life through personalized and coordinated care. We have been serving patients for over 30 years with a focus on high-quality care in retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and infusion services. The OptiMed Vision reimagines healthcare solutions to achieve unsurpassed value. Our results-oriented culture fosters learning, providing growth opportunities for our employees and exceptional care for our patients in all 50 states.

The Impact of this Role:

The Pharmacy Category Manager plays a critical role in strengthening OptiMed Health Partners’ competitive position within the specialty pharmacy landscape by cultivating high-value partnerships across manufacturers, wholesalers, and GPOs. Through strategic negotiation, proactive relationship management, and expert navigation of limited distribution drug (LDD) networks, this role directly influences the organization’s ability to secure timely access to critical therapies and maintain sustainable pricing advantages. By leading procurement initiatives, optimizing contract structures, and ensuring rigorous compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, the Pharmacy Category Manager enhances supply chain resilience and gross margin performance. Ultimately, the impact of this role extends through clinical, operational, and financial domains, supporting OptiMed’s mission to deliver exceptional patient care by ensuring reliable product access, strong vendor alignment, and a forward-looking trade strategy that fuels long-term growth.

What You’ll be Doing:

The responsibilities of Pharmacy Category Manager include but is not limited to:

Vendor and Partner Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all trade, manufacturer, and wholesaler relationships.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with GPOs, wholesalers, and manufacturers to ensure competitive pricing and optimal service levels.
• Maintain active awareness of supplier programs, rebates, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure alignment between vendor capabilities and OptiMed’s operational and clinical objectives.

Limited Distribution Drug (LDD) Access

• Identify and pursue opportunities to gain access to limited distribution medications across therapeutic areas.
• Prepare and submit applications or proposals to manufacturers for inclusion in LDD networks.
• Build collaborative relationships with manufacturer account teams and medical affairs departments to position OptiMed as a preferred dispensing partner.

Procurement and RFP Development

• Lead the development and execution of RFPs for key procurement and distribution partnerships.
• Draft, review, and negotiate terms and pricing agreements in coordination with OptiMed’s leadership and legal counsel.
• Analyze supplier performance, pricing trends, and market dynamics to inform contracting strategy.

Strategic and Operational Support

• Support the development of trade strategy to improve gross margin performance and supply resilience.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Clinical teams to ensure vendor agreements meet business objectives and compliance standards.
• Advise, support, and provide analysis to actively manage organization’s drug files that support long term growth.
• Maintain accurate records of all trade agreements, supplier communications, and contract renewals.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure all trade and procurement activities comply with federal and state regulations, accreditation standards, and OptiMed policies.
• Monitor and report on vendor performance, rebate structures, and contract deliverables.
• Support internal and external audits related to purchasing and trade functions.

Who You’ll be Working With:

Pharmacy Category Manager will work closely with teams across Procurement, Finance, Operations, Clinical Services, and Legal. The position does not have any direct reports.

Skills and Experience You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field required; PharmD, MBA, or equivalent preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in specialty pharmacy, pharmaceutical trade relations, or healthcare procurement required.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts with manufacturers, GPOs, or distributors.
• Familiarity with limited distribution drug access programs and specialty pharmacy accreditation requirements (URAC, ACHC, etc.).

Competencies You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Strong negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to understand and effectively negotiate key legal terms and conditions that support OptiMed’s objectives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple vendor relationships and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of pharmacy operations, specialty distribution channels, and 340B programs (preferred).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and contract management tools.
• Highly organized, proactive, and capable of working independently or in a team environment

Work environment:

The work environment offers flexibility, with options for hybrid or remote work based out of Kalamazoo, MI. The role accommodates a part-time to full-time schedule and may involve occasional travel for vendor meetings, conferences, or site visits. It’s a collaborative, fast-paced setting that supports both independent work and cross-functional interaction. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities in performing essential job functions.

OptiMed Health Partners provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.